A short break in France is always a good idea, especially for a girls’ trip. The country is packed with culture, food, shopping, and landscapes that make every visit feel special. Whether you’re after a city buzz, a countryside escape, or something in between, there are plenty of options to suit. Here are five ideas for a weekend away with friends that balance fun, relaxation, and a little indulgence!
Paris: Art, Shopping, and City Energy
Paris is hard to beat when it comes to group trips. The city has world-class museums, endless shopping streets, and a food scene that will keep everyone happy. A weekend here can be as busy or as laid-back as you like.
One idea is to plan a luxury tour of art galleries. With so many to choose from, having a guide makes it easier to cover the highlights without wasting time. A tailored tour gives you the chance to explore famous spots like the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay, while also discovering smaller, more contemporary galleries tucked into side streets.
If you’re keen to make the most of your time, you can experience luxury France tours that combine art, shopping, and food tastings in one seamless day.
Of course, no trip to Paris is complete without a wander along the Seine or an afternoon in the Marais browsing independent boutiques. Evenings can be spent enjoying a show at the Moulin Rouge, sipping cocktails on a rooftop terrace, or simply lingering over a long dinner with friends.
Bordeaux: Wine and River Views
For groups that enjoy wine, Bordeaux is an easy winner. The city itself is elegant, with wide boulevards, riverside walks, and a lively dining scene. Beyond the city, the region’s vineyards are some of the most famous in the world.
A weekend here can be planned around wine tours. You can spend a day in Saint-Émilion exploring underground cellars and tasting Merlot blends, or head to the Médoc for Cabernet Sauvignon straight from the source. Many tours include lunch at a chateau, which is a fun and sociable way to spend the day.
Back in Bordeaux, the Cité du Vin museum is a modern and interactive introduction to wine culture. Even if some of your group aren’t huge wine fans, the city itself has plenty to enjoy – from shopping on Rue Sainte-Catherine to evening walks along the Garonne River. Bordeaux manages to feel both cosmopolitan and laid-back, which makes it well-suited for a weekend with friends.
Provence Countryside: Slow Days in a Villa
If the idea of sun, lavender fields, and long lunches appeals, Provence makes a perfect choice. This part of France is known for its rolling countryside, colourful markets, and relaxed pace of life.
Booking one of the many villas in southern France is the best way to enjoy it as a group. Villas often come with pools, shaded terraces, and big kitchens, so you can cook together or hire a private chef for one evening. The freedom of a villa stay also means you can spend mornings exploring and afternoons lounging by the pool with a bottle of local rosé.
Nearby activities keep things varied: a stroll through the markets of Aix-en-Provence, wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, or a short hike in the Luberon hills. If your group prefers something more relaxed, a day trip to Avignon or Arles offers history, Roman ruins, and charming old streets. Provence has that rare mix of being both restful and full of opportunities for little adventures.
Côte d’Azur: Glamour and Seaside Fun
The French Riviera has been drawing travellers for decades, and it’s easy to see why. With sunshine almost year-round, glamorous towns, and beaches along the Mediterranean, it’s a natural fit for a fun girls’ trip.
Nice, Cannes, and Antibes are all within easy reach of each other, so it’s simple to mix a little of everything. Spend a morning wandering the old town in Nice, grab lunch by the harbour in Antibes, and then finish the day with sunset cocktails in Cannes. If you want more adventure, boat trips to the nearby Lérins Islands or paddleboarding along the coast offer a fun way to see the Riviera from the water.
Accommodation choices range from chic apartments to boutique hotels, but villas are also an option here for larger groups. Evenings often revolve around lively restaurants and bars, though there are quieter corners if your group prefers a more relaxed pace. The Riviera balances glamour with simple pleasures – sun, sea, and time together.
Lyon: Food and a Dash of Culture
Lyon may not always be the first choice for a weekend getaway, but it should be. Known as the gastronomic capital of France, the city is packed with “bouchons” (traditional restaurants), food markets, and cooking schools. For a girls’ trip, it’s a place where food takes centre stage, and that makes every day feel celebratory.
A weekend in Lyon can start with a market visit – Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse is the most famous, with stalls selling cheeses, pastries, and charcuterie. Booking a food tour can be a good way to cover more ground, as guides often take you behind the scenes and introduce you to local producers.
But Lyon isn’t only about food. The old town (Vieux Lyon) has Renaissance architecture and hidden passageways called “traboules” that are fun to explore as a group. There’s also the Roman amphitheatre, which is one of the best preserved in France. Evenings are usually spent sharing meals, but the city has a thriving bar scene if you want to stretch things out a little longer.
Final Thoughts
France has so many sides that choosing just one place for a weekend away can be difficult. Paris gives you art, shopping, and nightlife all in one. Provence offers lazy days by the pool and lavender-scented walks. Bordeaux is all about wine and riverside charm. The Riviera brings sunshine and glamour, while Lyon mixes food with history.
The best part of a girls’ getaway is the chance to spend time together, and France makes that easy with its mix of culture, scenery, and food. Whether your group prefers late nights in the city or slow mornings in the countryside, there’s a corner of France that will fit!
